How Long Is Nursing School? Nursing School Years Of Education
Nurses can begin entry-level practice with a year-long nursing school program, and career advancement comes with completing a 3-year or 4-year undergraduate program. Graduate degrees for advanced practice nursing add several more years of education.
LPN program graduates are able to take the NCLEX-PN exam, which grants the graduate the LPN license. Typical training for a licensed practical nursing program includes courses such as basic nursing, first aid, intro to pharmacology, geriatric care plus psych care.
LPN training is available through vocational-technical schools plus community colleges plus allows the graduates to seek entry-level positions. Graduates can choose to take a transitional training program to become a registered nurse (RN).
Licensed Practical Nurse Programs
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), sometimes known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), assist registered nurses and provide dasar patient care. Nursing school programs for LPNs are typically one year long and involve classroom work as well as supervised clinical experience.LPN program graduates are able to take the NCLEX-PN exam, which grants the graduate the LPN license. Typical training for a licensed practical nursing program includes courses such as basic nursing, first aid, intro to pharmacology, geriatric care plus psych care.
LPN training is available through vocational-technical schools plus community colleges plus allows the graduates to seek entry-level positions. Graduates can choose to take a transitional training program to become a registered nurse (RN).
Nursing School Completion Times
Students can begin practicing as nurses following a 1-year vocational nursing program, while registered nurse licensure generally requires at least two years of nursing school. However, the full educational course leading to a doctorate in nursing can take eight years or more. The most popular nursing school programs are a 2-year associate's degree in nursing and a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.Registered Nurse Programs
To become a registered nurse (RN), candidates must complete
a diploma, associate's degree or bachelor's degree in nursing program, and
become licensed. Diploma programs are only offered by certain hospitals and are
not as prevalent as degree programs. Earning a diploma qualifies licensed
graduates for entry-level RN positions. Nursing diploma programs can take 1-3
years to complete.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
ADN programs offered through community and 4-year colleges
last 2-3 years and qualify graduates for entry-level RN positions. Nursing
associate's degree programs at community colleges can be taken either during
the day, night, or on a weekend schedule. Students study nursing fundamentals,
including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and nutrition, as
well as related topics, such as psychology.
Students are also required to participate in nursing
clinicals, which allow the student to practice everything that he or she has
learned in a controlled environment. These tasks include making a patient's
bed, understanding normal and abnormal heart sounds and breath sounds and
monitoring a patient's charts.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Similar to a diploma or AND program, a bachelor's degree in
nursing can lead to a career as a registered nurse, but the BSN also provides
the foundation for graduate and advanced study in nursing. Students without
nursing experience can take a full 4-year BSN program and licensure exam, while
those with an ADN or prior RN licensure can take a 2-year RN-to-BSN program.
Prospective nurses with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing can
enroll in a 2-year accelerated BSN program.
Courses in a nursing bachelor's degree program include
anatomy and physiology, statistics, nutrition and diet, nursing theory and
research, as well as common general education requirements, such as English,
history and social sciences. A BSN also requires that the student participate
in advanced clinicals in hospitals, nursing homes or even psych facilities.
Master's Programs
A master's degree in nursing is generally needed for
administrative positions as well as highly specialized care nursing positions,
or opportunities in teaching and research. Admission to graduate nursing school
programs requires a bachelor's degree. Some universities offer online
education.
The 2-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program
involves classroom study, research and clinical experience. Possible courses
include evidence-based research, end of life care, pharmacology, ethics and
informatics. An MSN student can choose to specialize in a field, such as
nursing leadership, anesthesia, case management or nurse practitioner.
Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Nursing (ND) programs take 3-5 years, including
summers, beyond undergraduate programs. These programs prepare nurses with
specialist skills to work in more advanced fields.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs take around three
years to complete following a bachelor's degree and focus on clinical practice.
This degree prepares nurses for leadership positions in which the graduates are
expected to keep the balance between offering a higher quality of care while
remaining on budget.
The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) program allows nursing
students to act as scientists as they investigate and research the health care
system. The most popular areas of study are health care economics and
statistical analysis. To graduate, a student must participate in more
clinicals, conduct original research, and write and defend a dissertation.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing program prepares
students to research and investigate the nursing industry to advance care
provided at hospitals and nursing homes. Similar to the DNSc program, nursing
PhD candidates must also run research projects and complete the dissertation
process.
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